Obamacare Hard Sell

The White House is going with the hard sell on Obamacare, unveiling a new ad campaign targeted at getting out "health care horror stories" showing the need for real reform.

Organizing for America — the operation run out of the DNC by operative Mitch Stewart — blasted out an email to its massive list late yesterday announcing the plans and soliciting cash. The goal: To put compelling health care stories collected in OFA’s big health care story bank up on the air, using the power of personal anecdote against opponents, who are also busily concocting anecdotal ammo to use against reform.

From the email…

Many experts believe health care reform was defeated in the early 90’s by the infamous “Harry and Louise” ads. They featured actors sitting around a fake kitchen table, pretending to be a family that was frightened by reform.

So just imagine if this time around, the debate is shaped by real people, looking us in the eye, telling their actual story, and asking for our help to fix this broken system.

Phony stories helped defeat health care reform in the past. But this time, real stories could be the reason we win.

It’s unclear whether Obama himself is doing enough to use his popularity to sell health care reform. His campaign apparatus seems to be doing its part, though the real proof will be in the amount of money collected and the quality of the ads themselves.

Considering that a new poll shows that a majority of people want health care reform and approve of Obama's plan, but that a majority also believe Obama's health care plan will increase health care costs, Obama does have some work to do.

A government run health insurance program is one of the most controversial parts of the Obama health reform proposals, with Republicans suggesting that such a plan could force current health care providers out of business, forcing Americans to switch doctors. The poll indicates such arguments may not be working.

"Two-thirds believe that the president's plan would allow them to see the same doctors they currently receive care from, and most say that their health insurance provider would not go out of business if Obama's plan is passed," says Holland.

But the poll does provide some ammunition for Republicans opposed to the president's proposals. Fifty-four percent say their medical insurance costs will increase if the Obama plan becomes law, with 17 percent feeling their costs will decrease. Around one in four say their costs will remain the same. And only one in five say their family will be better off if the president's plan becomes law, with 35 percent feeling they would be worse off, and 44 percent saying they would be about the same.

Like it or not, the money will determine if we get a real plan.